Yes! In my official capacity as King of all the Romanians, I hereby declare that this fine, fine March day is the official first day of spring :)

The sun is shining and the weather is most definitely sweet. The snow is melting and nearly completely gone. Birds are twittering merrily in the trees. Kids are outside playing soccer (UK: football). Teenagers are lounging around on their scooters. Old women are standing on the corner, gossiping. The hats and scarves are once again locked in the cupboards and T-shirts and – gasp! – even shorts are now being worn. And the air is full of sweet smoke from my idiot neighbors burning down (Rom) the forest with their barbecues :P

You might remember my post back in December – on the 12th to be exact – heralding the beginning of winter. Almost three months later to the day, old Man Winter has gone back to his abode. Let the trees bud and the rich soil yield up its bounty once again.

Spring is here!

The birds around me hopped and played,
Their thoughts I cannot measure:–
But the least motion which they made
It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

–William Wordsworth